McIntosh MT2 Turntable

McIntosh has announced that it will not be shipping its newly-designed MT2 Turntable until later this year.

The McIntosh MT2 uses a belt-driven dual platter system. The solid black outer platter is made from 25.4mm-thick polyoxymethylene (POM). The inner platter is made of CNC-precision milled aluminium. Both rotate on a polished and tempered steel shaft in a sintered bronze bushing. The d.c. drive motor is driven by an external voltage-stabilised power supply. The plinth is comprised of layers of black lacquer finished MDF and acrylic plates. The plates in the plinth are claimed to absorb unwanted vibration, but they also allow McIntosh to illuminate the plinth with the soft green glowing lighting that’s a feature on all its amplifiers.

‘The new McIntosh MT2 Precision Turntable combines the latest in turntable technology and design to deliver both superb performance and accurate playback,’ said Philip Sawyer, of Synergy Audio Visual, which distributes McIntosh in Australia. ‘A full complement of features allows for all recordings to be reproduced with flawless realism and its advanced electronic and mechanical design will give many years of smooth, trouble-free operation.’

As with many turntables, the McIntosh comes with a phono cartridge already installed and calibrated, along with preset tracking and anti-skating forces. The phono cartridge is a high-output moving-coil design with an alloy cantilever and an elliptical diamond stylus. The tonearm has a duralumin wand. The vertical vertical bearings use precision ceramic surfaces with damping fluid; the horizontal bearing is a gimballed sapphire design. A clear, contoured dust cover is included. McIntosh says it will start shipping the MT2 in May, 2018 and in the US, the suggested retail price will be $US,3,999.

Don’t miss this special issue celebrating Australian Hi-Fi’s 50th year of publication, with a feature written by the magazine’s founder. The very first issue is now a collector’s item, and we think this 50th Anniversary issue will be too! Also full reviews of JBL’s L100 Classic speakers, B&W’s top-level DB1D subwoofer, Cambnridge Audio’s Azure 851N network player, and Gold Note’s IS-1000 amplifier, and all our regulars!

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